The Cyprus FA on Monday evening "unanimously approved modifications to the disciplinary code regarding matches and suspicious betting activity, with tough fines and long prison sentences for those found throwing or fixing matches," according to Philip Mark of CYPRUS MAIL. The CFA was "forced to introduce the strict measures" at the instigation of UEFA, after its honorary Chair and current VP of UEFA, Marios Lefkaritis, confirmed last week that Cyprus football "was branded 'the dirtiest in Europe.'" Lefkaritis said that according to UEFA, some 23 or 24 matches played so far this and last season appeared to have been fixed -- "they were connected with suspicious betting activities -- adding that the police had not undertaken investigations into cases." Justice Minister Ionas Nicolaou, speaking about the decision to prepare relevant legislation clearly outlining match fixing as a criminal offense, had said that "the new legislations would be based on related laws in other countries." The new law "envisages up to seven years in prison" and/or fines of up to €300,000 ($318,600), for fixing matches, while those found guilty of receiving bribes to throw games, facing up to five years' imprisonment and/or fines of up to €100,000 ($106,200) (CYPRUS MAIL, 11/22).
